Sewing machine cabinet



Nov. 6, 1962 M, A, CANNON 3,062,605

SEWING MACHINE CABINET Filed June 6, 1960 INVENTOR. alb MART/NACANNO/V BYW g 20 I9 ATTYS.

United States Patent 9 i 3,062,605 SEWING MACHINE CABINET Martin A. Cannon, Suite 1145 Omaha National Bank Bldg., Omaha, Nebr. Filed June 6, 1960, Ser. No. 34,199 4 Claims. (Cl. 31226) This invention relates to sewing machine cabinets and more particularly to sewing machine cabinets which may be attached to a wall or the like.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an attractive storage cabinet for a sewing machine which can be extended to provide both an adequately large sewing work surface and in addition a support for the sewing machine when it is in use.

In accordance with this general object a further object lies in the provision of a sewing machine cabinet adapted to be fixed to a wall or the like or built to provide a rigid sewing work surface with a back to retain sewing material so that large pieces of cloth and sewing patterns can be handled conveniently.

It is also an object to provide a rigid sewing machine support which can be easily designed to fit into the decor of any room of a home yet which is quickly extensible to provide a combination sewing work surface and sewing machine support and is quickly collapsible to provide an attractive storage cabinet for the sewing materials as well as the sewing machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one preferred form of a machine cabinet embodying the present invention shown attached to a wall and wherein the extended position of the work surface is represented in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section taken substantially in the plane of line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective showing the sewing machine in operative position with the retracted sewing machine support ledge shown in phantom; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken substantially in the plane of line 44 in FIG. 2.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternative and equivalent constructions which are included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, the sewing machine cabinet constructed in accordance with the present invention generally indicated at includes side supports or sides 11 and 12 and a top 14, having hinged thereto a front to which is pivotally attached a sewing machine 16. The side supports 11 and 12 and the top 14 are shown extending outwardly from a wall 18 to which these parts of the cabinet are rigidly attached. Sides 11 and 12, the top 14, and the front 15 can be formed of any appropriate building material to form a sturdy and attractive cabinet which blends with the decor of the room in which it is installed.

The sewing machine 16 is secured to a base 17 which is pivotally attached to the front 15 so that it can be moved between an operative or upright position and an inoperative or retracted position beneath a hinged leaf cover 19. For operation it can be brought out to rest on a recessed ledge piece 20. Preferably the sewing machine is hinged to a support 21 on pins 22 and 24 so that when the front 15 is swung into retracted position, the machine is supported from above. The cabinet need only have a width equal to the width W of the sewing machine base to provide the necessary storage space. This 3,062,505 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 dimension W is the narrowest over-all dimension of the sewing machine. The sewing machine 16 can be hinged at either side of the sewing machine base 17. FIG. 2 shows hinges on the near side because this is the side on which hinges appear in most sewing machines sold on the market today. It will be apparent that the machine can be hinged on the side opposite to that shown in FIG. 2. Thus it would assume an upright position when stored. With the machine supported on the axis defined by the pins 22 and 24 the center of gravity of the machine is such that the machine positions itself immediately below these hinge pins. Means is provided to hold the sewing machine 16 in its retracted position away from the leaf cover 19. For this purpose a catch 25 is used. The catch 25 is mounted on a support structure 26 rigid with the front 15 for holding the sewing machine in its retracted position.

When the leaf cover 19 is opened allowing the sewing machine 16 to be moved to the operative position, the recess 23 provides a temporary receptacle for sewing accessories such as spools of thread, scissors and pins.

To retain the sewing machine 16 in operative position, a ledge piece 20 is provided. The ledge piece is hinged at 28 and 29 and normally rests on two pivotable projections 30 and 31, in coplanar relation with the front 15 Along the rear edge of the ledge piece 20 a recess 32 is provided for reception of a complementary recess 34 formed in a base 17 of the sewing machine. The base 17 and the ledge piece 20 form a flush surface when the sewing machine 16 is moved into operative position.

To support the front 15 when it is swung into open position it is equipped with a pair of legs 36 and 38 though it is apparent that support could be furnished by only one leg. The legs 36 and 38 are pivotable upon pins 39 and 40 and are of a sufficient length when extended to support the front 15 at a height permitting a person to sit comfortably and operate the sewing machine 16 or stand and use the horizontal surface 15 to prepare the sewing material. The legs 36 and 38 are retractable within the front 15 and are mounted in relatively offset relation to each other so that they can be folded at the outer end of the front 15.

To hold the front 15 closed when it has been moved into the closed or retracted position wherein the cabinet forms a storage space for the machine and sewing materials, catches 41 and 42 are provided. As shown the catches 41 and 42 are of the magnetic type but any other form can be used. Desirably, however, these catches are of such form that they are concealed when the cabinet is in closed position.

While as shown the front 15 is pivotally attached to the top 14 by three hinges 44, 45 and 46, so that it can be swung outwardly for support on the two legs 36 and 38, any suitable pivot means can be employed. The hinges 44, 45 and 46 anchor the front 15 against lateral movement so that when the front is swung outwardly and the legs extended to provide vertical supports, there is formed a rigid sewing WOIk surface. To give additional rigidity to the front when it is serving as a work surface and machine support, reinforcing members 48, 49 and 50 are provided. These members comprise a skirt bordering the underside of the front and thus enhance the appearance of the device.

With the front 15 in its closed position there is available additional enclosed space not occupied by the machine 16. In accordance with another aspect of the invention this space is utilized to provide for the storage of accessories such as spools of thread, scissors and the like so that they are readily available.

Thus, drawers 51 and 52, for storing sewing materials are provided. The drawers are installed so as to extend into that part of the cabinet space above that occupied by the machine 16 when it is retracted. Additionally, a somewhat larger storage space is indicated at 53. This is defined by a box-like compartment 54 which is fixed to the underside of the front 15. Access thereto is provided by a door 55 which in closed position is flush with the outer surface of the front 15. It is apparent that the compartment 54 also extends into the enclosed space within the cabinet when the front 15 is lowered. The storage space within the cabinet serves to make it a convenient sewing center in the home. The person doing the sewing can quickly set up the sewing machine in the operative position and have the material at his or her fingertips to proceed with the sewing work.

As will be seen from the foregoing description a cabinet constructed according to the teachings of the present invention provides a convenient storage place for a sewing machine and the materials required for sewing. The cabinet uses a minimum amount of space and can be easily accommodated to complement its surroundings. Because of the ease with which it can be set up, it provides a convenient and economical center for sewing activities in the home without the expense of a special sewing room.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cabinet for permanent installation with respect to a Wall, comprising, a combination, a sewing machine, side supports of a width corresponding to the narrowest dimension of said sewing machine, a top of a width corresponding to said width of said supports, a front hinged on one edge to said top for movement between an opened position and a closed position in which it abuts the outer edges of said side supports, said sides, top and front defining storage space, means carried by said front for pivotally supporting said sewing machine for movement between operative and inoperative positions with respect to said front, means carried by said front and engageable with the sewing machine for holding the same in operative position when said front is in its open position and for releasing the sewing machine for movement into inoperative position behind said front, one of said sides mounting drawers slidable into closed position within said storage space, and a compartment carried by said front and having said closure panel normally flush with the outer surface of said front and located in offset relation to the sewing machine, said compartment and the sewing machine extending into said storage space upon movement of said front into closed position with respect to said sides and top.

2. A sewing machine cabinet adapted for permanent installation with respect to a wall, comprising, in combination, a sewing machine, side supports of a width corresponding to the narrowest dimension of said sewing machine, a top of a width corresponding to said width of said supports, a hinge mounted front, swingable relative to said top and said sides between an extended position and a retracted position in which it abuts the outer edges of said side supports and forms therewith an enclosure space, a first support means carried by said front for pivotally supporting said sewing machine, a second support means carried by said front for supporting said sewing machine within said enclosure space when said front is in said retracted position and said sewing machine is inoperative, and means carried by said front and engageable with said sewing machine when said front is in said extended position for holding said sewing machine in an operative position.

3. A sewing machine cabinet adapted for permanent installation with respect to a wall, comprising, in combination, a sewing machine, side supports for disposition at substantially right angles to the wall and corresponding in width to the narrowest dimension of said sewing machine, a top rigid with said side supports and at right angles thereto, a front having one end hinged for swinging movement relative to said top and said sides between an extended position and a retracted position in which it abuts the outer edges of said supports and forms therewith an enclosure space, means carried by the opposite edge of said front for supporting the same in extended position, a first upport means carried by said front for pivotally supporting said sewing machine, a second support means carried by said front for supporting said sewing machine within said enclosure space when said front is in said re tracted position and said sewing machine is inoperative, and means carried by said front and engageable with said sewing machine when said front is in said extended position for holding said sewing machine in an operative position.

4. A cabinet for use with a sewing machine or the like and adapted for permanent installation with respect to a wall, comprising in combination, side supports of a predetermined width, a top of a width corresponding to said width of said side supports, a hinge mounted front swing able relative to said top and said sides between an extended position and a retracted position in which it abuts the outer edges of said side supports and forms therewith an enclosure space, a first support means carried by said front defining a pivotal axis adapted for pivotally supporting a sewing machine or the like, a second support means carried by said front adapted to support a sewing machine or the like within said enclosure when said front is in said retracted position, and means carried by said front and adapted for engagement with a sewing machine or the like to hold the latter upright when said front is in said extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,155 Range Mar. 31, 1874 646,932. Tetrault Apr. 3, 1900 2,033,642 Moore Mar. 10, 1936 2,755,156 Nichols July 17, 1956 2,789,875 Van Ordt Apr. 23, 1957 

